Pneumatic gun



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

HM. T; BODDAM.

PNEUMATIC GUN.

Patnted June 7, 1898.

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E. M. T. BODDAM.

' PNEUMATIG GUN..

No. 605,216. Patented June 7, 1898;

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheetfi.

E. M, T. BODDAM.

PNEUMATIG GUN.

No. 605,216. Patented June 7, 1898.

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(No Model.)

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PNEUMATIC GUN.

Patented June '7, 1898.

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P NE U MATIC 6 UN.

s'rncrnrcArron forming part of Letters Patent No. 605,216, dated June 7, 1898. Application filed October 29,1896. Serial No. 610,505. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LFDi/ronnMEYnR TUDOR BODDAM, engineer,a subject of the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of 159 Queen street, Melbourne, in the Colony of-Victoria, have invented certain new'and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Guns, of which the following is a specification. l

My invention relates toimprovements in pneumatic guns, the object being to provide a mittedto the barrel in an increasingamount and velocity at several places along the bore, following the projectile as it moves from the breech toward the muzzle, and thus continuously increasing the velocity of the projectile until it leavesthe gun.

. My invention also consists proved means for operating the pneumatic system, for operating the breech mechanism,

for controlling the movements of the gun, and in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter to be described and claimed.

The above-mentioned object is attained by means of the novel arrangement of valves, valve connections, and, other mechanism, which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are designated by the same reference-numerals throughout the several views, Figure 1 represents the gun in side elevation, the training-gear and other parts not forminga partof my invention being omitted for the sake of clearness. Figs. 2, 2, and 2 are enlargements of Fig. 1, Fig. 2 showing the breech of the gun from slightly in the rear of the trunnions, Fig. 2 showing the central portion of the gun, and Fig.2 the muzzle portion of the gun. Fig. 3 represents a central section of the gun-barrel and breech-closin g mechanism,showingthe breech closed, the scalebeing somewhat largerthan in any of the preceding figures. Fig. 4: represents a rear view of the gun and breechclosing mechanism. Fig. 5 is a plan view of parts shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figs. 4 and 5 as seen from the left of said figures. Fig. 7 repin certain im- 4 yof Fig. 13.

the screw and revolving nut for operating the breech mechanism, showing a section. made by the plane a: to of Fig. 6. Fig.1Q represents a transverse section through the screw for op- 1 crating the breech mechanism and the guidegun in which fresh increments of air are adsleeve therefor, showing a section. made by the plane m 00 of Fig. 6. Figs.'1l and 12 represent sections along the lines so 00 of Figs. 9 and 10, respectively, and 'also along the line 00 m ofFig. 6, the figures showing the interior of the nut and sleeve, respectively, the screw being omitted. Fig. 13 represents a central vertical section through the body of the gun, showing the interior of the bore from the breech to a point forward of the trunnions. Fig. 13 represents a similar section of the muzzle end of the gun-body. Fig. 14: represents a cross-section of the gun-body through the trunnions, showing a section made bythe plane pg of Fig. 13 and looking to the left. Fig. 15 represents a cross-sectionof the body of the gun made by the plane Fig. 16 represents a section along the broken line g g of Figs. 13 and 15, looking upward toward the bore of the gun. Fig. 17 represents a longitudinal sectional elevation of the receiver. a cross-section through the receiver made by the plane 2 z of Fig. 16. The gun-body consists of a steel tube 1, having a jacket 2, 3, 4:, and 5, and may be rifled, if desired, beyond 6, Fig. 13--viz., beyond that part only in which the inlets from the valves are situated.

The breech'is closed bya cylindrical. block 7, having a suitable leather or light copper cup or gas-check 8, Fig. 3, attached to the inner end to prevent escape of gas. The-breechblock has an interrupted screw thread 9 chased on it and workingina similar interrupted female screw chased on the breechpiece of the gun, which may be integral with the rear of jacket 2. The breech-block works in a hinged carrier-ring 11, in which it can be withdrawn and swung clear of the breech- Fig? 18 represents opening. This carrier-ring is keyed to and turns with the hinge-pin 49. On the back of the breech-block 7 is a toothed segment 12, and attached to the end of the hinge-pin is also a toothed pinion 13, gearing with the rack 14, which slides transversely in a groove in the under side of the breech-casing. This rack has two sets of teeth 16 cut on it at right angles one with another, so as to transmit the motion from two gear-wheels 13 and 18 at right angles with one another. Below the breech end of the gun is placed a pneumatic cylinder 19, the piston of which is continued to form a hexagonal twisted screw of very rapid pitch. This screw 20 passes through a nut 21, revolving in a suitable bearing 22, and also passes through guide-sleeve 23, attached to the breech-casing 2 of the gun. This guide sleeve is provided with one or more keys or feathers 23, sliding in a keyway 20 in the screw 20.

The cylinder 19 is provided with inlet-ports near each end which are connected by pipes 61 with the valve-boxes 61, which latter receive fluid-pressure from the receiver through the branch pipes 91 from the pipe 91, which latter pipe extends along the barrel of the gun to near the trunnions, where it is connected by a flexible connection 92 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 with the pipe 93, leading to the receiver.

The valve-boxes 61 contain valves of any suitable form for admitting the air from the pipe 91 to either end of the cylinder 19, and the said valves are controlled by the lever 61*, operating the connecting-rod 61 A pipe 62 is connected with one of the branch pipes 61 and communicates with a pipe 60,

which extends along the barrel of the gun, for closing the Various fluid-pressure valves, as will be hereinafter described.

The revolving nut 21, inclosing the screw 20, has keyed thereon two segments 18 and 24.

The pinion 18 meshes with the rack 14, sliding in the breech end of the gun, and the pinion 24 meshes with the toothed segment 12 on the breech-block. These pinions 18 and 24 are arranged to come into gear as the screw 20 moves to the rear and at the right time un- 50 locks the breech-block 7 and then turns the hinge-pin 49, opening the breech. The screw 20 being moved backward by the motion imparted to the piston 26 of the cylinder 19, Fig. 3, causes the nut 21 and segments 24 and 18 to rotate. The pinion 24, meshing with the teeth on the segment 12 on the breech-block, causes the latter to rotate until the interrupted screwthreads 9 are disengaged and the breech-block is unlocked, at which time the teeth on the segment 12 pass out of engagement with the teeth on the segment 24 and the arm 17 on the breech-block passes into the transverse slot 25 (shown in Fig. 3) on the screw 20, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. As the screw 20 contiuues to move backward the pressure against the arm 17 will start the breech-block backward out of the breech of the gun. When the breech-block has been moved sufficiently to the rear to swing clear of the gun, the teeth on the segment 18, cominginto gear with the teeth 16 011 the rack 14, will move the rack, causing the teeth 15 to turn the pinion 13 and swinging the carrier-ring 11 and the breechblo'ck about the pin 49 and thus opening the breech. The breech is closed by the forward movement of the screw 20, which will cause the aforesaid movements to take place 1n the reverse order, viz: The rack 14 will turn the I pinion 13 and hinge-pin 49 in the reverse direction, swinging the carrier-ring 11 and the "breeck-block 7 toward the breech. block enters the breech the arm 1'7 will again As the pass into the slot 25 in the screw 20, and the forward movement of the screw will push the block into the breech, and when it is in posi: tion to engage the interrupted screw-threads the teeth of the segment 24 will engage the toothed segment 12 and will lock the breechblock. The arm 17 is turned out of the slot 25 in the early part of the rotation of the breech-block in looking, thus permitting the locking-threads to engage freely.

The jackets 2, 3, 4, and 5, inclosing the rear portion of the tube 1, are formed in suitable sizes and shapes to receive the pipes and valves leading directly into the gun, and the jacket 4 nearest the center of gravity of the gun is constructed with hollow trunnions 28, through either or both of which the air is led by the pipe 74 from the main valve 29 and is distributed in succession to various valves 30, 31, 32, and 33, admitting it into the gun, the number of the said valves being larger or smaller, as predetermined, depending upon the length of the bore, the pressure in the receiver, and other factors. The size of these valves and their parts is preferably increased from the breech toward the muzzle.

The hollow trunnions are connected by a passage 34, passing through the jacket 4 below the gun, and this passage 34 communicates with a longitudinal passage 34, which extends through the jacket 3 and communicates with a smaller longitudinal passage in the jacket 2, which passage 35 communicates with a transverse passage 36, connected by a pipe 36 with a smaller transverse passage 36 near the breech of the gun. I The passages 36, 36, 35, and 34 open int the valve-chambers of the valves 30, 31, 32,

and 33, respectively, and are arranged to be The valves 30, 31, 32, and 33, leading into the gun, are all similar in pattern, being slidevalves having the pressure primarily on the back of the valve and opening direct into the barrel of the gun through the ports 72, 72, 7 2 ,--and 72. The slides of the valves are actuated by rods 37, 38, 39, and 40, one end of each of which rods moves without back pressure through ordinary stuffing-boxes 41, 42, 43, and 44 and the other end of each of which forms the piston-rod of,small pneumatic cylinders 45, 46, 47, and 48, respectively. On the end of each of these rods is a piston 53, controlled by fluid-pressure from the pipe 60.

Small pipes 50, 51, and 52 lead direct from the bore of the gun in advance of each of these valves into each cylinder 46, 47, and 48, so as to move the rods 38, 39, and 40 in the direction of opening the valves.

The pipe 60, which is connected by the pipe 62 with the pipe 61, leading to the port in the forward end of the cylinder 19, extends along the barrel of the gun and enters the forward end of the valve-cylinder 48, and the said pipe 60 is provided with branch pipes 57, 58, and 59, which enter the forward ends of the valvecylinders 45, 46, and 47 respectively, and thus when the air under pressure is admitted to the forward end of the cylinder 19 to open the breech of the gun it willpass through the pipe 60andits branches and also enter the forward ends of the several valve-cylinders 45, 46, 47,

and 48 and close all the valves 30, 31, 32, and

33, leading into the barrel of the gun.

The small valve 30 nearest the breech, instead of being opened by the air-pressure from the bore (as in the case of. the other valves) is opened by the air direct from the main valve, a small branch pipe 63 being led from theair-main through the valve-cover into the opening end of its pneumatic cylinder 45, and

thus moving the slide as soon as the main valve 29 is opened. The main valve 29, between the receiver and the gun and conveniently'fixed to the side of the receiver, may be either a piston or slide valve of suitable construction. The rod, 64, attached to the slide or piston of this main valve 29, is worked backward and forward by means of a small cylinder 65, having an ordinary piston working therein, a pipe 66 being led direct into the cylinder from the receiver through the Valvecover at 67 and a small starting or firing valve 68 of ordinary construction being used to admit the air. The opposite end of the cylinder is connected direct bya pipe 70 to the barrel of the gun at 71, close to the muzzle, so that the pressure in the bore as the projectile leaves the muzzle is transmitted to the back of the piston in the cylinder 65, and thus closes the main valve and prevents undue loss of air. A dead-weight regulating blowoif valve of any suitable construction is attached to the receiver to insure that it is charged to the proper pressure. Thisvalve is shown in my application, Serial No. 610,504, filed October 29, 1896, but is omitted herefrom as not forming a part of the invention and also, for the sake of elearness in the draw ings. i

The receiver consists of a central steel casting or forging 77, in which the closed tubes 79 are screwed or otherwise secured and through which aredrilled out the connections 78 of the tubes79 and'in which is also drilled a passage 80 to convey the-pressure from the main receiver or source of fluid-pressure. The

main valve 29 is made to normally cover these passages 78 and 80 and also the outlet 81, Fig.

18,-t0 the gun and to connect the same with the gun at the instant of firing. The main valve 29 is operated by means of the firinglever 68. The rod end 82, when open, is arranged to abut against the screw-stop 83,

which has a pointer 84 on one end Working over a graduated scale 85. By screwing the .stop 83 backward "or forward by the handwheel 86 more or less opening is given to the main valve 29, and a greater or less range of the projectile is obtained by the varied eX- pansion thus given. The preferredmode of supplying fluid-pressure to thereceiver is described in my application, Serial No. 610,504,

filed October 29, 1896.

While I have throughout the specification referred for brevitys sake to compressed air, it will be obvious that various other gaseous fluids under pressure would be equally effective. 1

The action of the gun and apparatus is as follows: The breech of the gun having been opened, the'projectile is placed in the bore in the usual manner slightly in advance of the breech-port 72 in the gun, and Whenever the receiver is fully charged the gun can be fired. To fire, air is admittedito the small cylinder 65, operating the main valve 29, by opening the small firing-valve 68. The opening of the main valve 29 admits the air to all the valves 30, 31, 32, and 33, leading into the gun through passages 34, 34, and 36, pipe 36, passage 36", the trunnions, and the large pipe 74. The gun-valves 31, 32, and 33 all remain closed at first except the breech-valve 30, which is opened by the air in the branch 63 from the main pipe, and air is consequently admitted behind and starts the projectile. As the projectile advances the pressure through the pipes 50, 51, and 52, acting on the pistons at the end of each slide-rod 38, 39, and 40, opens the valves 31, 32, and 33 scm'at'im; The volume and pressure of the air are con sequently increased as the projectile moves along the bore and the latter is gradually accelerated and ejected without excessive shock. When the projectile reaches the point 71 near the muzzle, the air-pressure from within the bore passes backward along the pipe 70, leading to the cylinder 65, moving the piston therein, and thus closing the main valve 29 and preventing undue loss of fiuid-pressure. i

The gun is preferably fitted with hydropneumatic elevating-gear 87, witlrreflecting- IIO sights 88, an overhead shield 89, and travers-- rality of ports for fluid-pressure arranged along and opening into the bore, and increas-,

ing in size from the breech toward the muzzle, in combination with a source of fluid-- pressure, and means for connecting the said ports seriatim to the said source of fluid-pressure, substantially as described.

2. A pneumatic gun provided with a plurality of ports for fluid-pressure arranged along and opening into the bore, and increasing in size from the breech toward the muzzle, in combination with a source of fluidprcssure, and means for connecting the said ports seriatt'm to the said source of fluid-pressure, and for automatically shutting off the fluid-pressure from the gun as the projectile leaves the bore, substantially as described.

3. A pneumatic gun provided with a plurality of ports for fluid-pressure arranged along and opening into the bore and increasin g in size from the breech toward the muzzle,

in combination with a source of fluid-pressure, means for connecting said ports seriatim to the source of fluid-pressure and means operated by the pressure in the bore of the gun in rear of the projectile for automatically shut ting off the fiuid-pressu re from the gun as the projectile leaves the bore, substantially as described. 7

4. A pneumatic gun provided with a plurality of ports for fluid-pressure arranged along and opening into the bore, and increasing in size from the breech toward the muzzle, in combination with a source of fluid-pressure, and means operated by the pressure in the bore of the gun in rear of the projectile for automatically shutting off the fluid-pressure from the gun as the projectile leaves the bore,

substantially as described.

5. In a pneumatic gun,the combination with a central tube provided with a plurality of fluid-pressure inlets therethroug'h arranged along the said tube, of jackets inclosing the rear portion of said tube, hollow trunnions integral with or secured to one of said jackets, passages connecting said inlets with one or /both of said hollow trunnions, a source of fluid-pressure connected to one or both of said hollow trunnions, means for normally closing the connection between said air-inlets and said source of fluid-pressure, firing mechanism for admitting fluid-pressure to the said passages and also to the bore of the gun in rear of said projectile, and means operated by the pressure in the bore in rear of the projectile for opening said inlets seriatim, substantially as described.

6. In a pneumatic gun ,the combination with a central tube provided with a plurality of fluid-pressure inlets therethrough arranged along the said tube, of jackets inclosing the rear portion of said tube, hollow trunnions integral with or secured to one of said jackets, passages connecting said inlets with one or both of said hollow trunnions, a source of fluid-pressureconnected to one or both of said hollow trunnions, means for normally closing the connection between said air-inlets and said source of fluid-pressure, firing mechanism for admitting fiuidpressure to the said passages and also to the bore of the gun in rear of said projectile, and means operated by the pressure in the bore in rear of the projectile for opening said inlets seriaiz'm, with meansfor shutting oft the supply of fluidpressure automatically as the projectile leaves leading from one of said trunnions to the interior of the bore, the said passages opening at intervals along the bore,'fof valves controlling all of said openings, a pipe connecting the said hollow trunnion with the source of fluid-pressure, and a main valve controlling the flow of ii uid through said pi pe,firin g mechanism for. operating said main valve, and means operated by the pressure in the gun in rear of the projectile for operating the other valves seriatim,substantially as described.

8. In a pneumatic gun,the combination with a source of fluid-pressure, of a gun-body provided with hollow trunnions and air-passages leading from one of said trunnions to the interior of the bore, the said passages opening at intervals along the bore, of valves controlling all of said openings, a pipe connecting the said hollow trunnion with the source of fluid-pressure, and a main valve controlling the flow of fluid through said pipe,firing mechanism for operating said main valve, and means operated by the pressure in the gun in rear of the projectile for operating the other valves seriatt'm, and for closing said main valve as the projectile leaves the gun, substantially as described.

9. In a pneumatic gun,the combination with a source of fluid-pressure, of a gun-body provided with hollow trunnions and air-passages leading from one of said trunnions to the interior of the bore, the said passages opening at intervals along the bore, of valves controlling all of said openings, a pipe connecting the said hollow trunnion with the source of fluid-pressure, and a main valve controlling the flow of fluid through said pipe, a firing lever for operating said main valve, and means operated by the pressure in the gun in rear of the projectile for operating the other valves seriat'im, substantially as described.

10. In a pneumatic gun, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure, of a gun-body provided with hollow trunnions and air-passages leading from one of said trunnions to the interior of the bore, the said passages opening at intervals alongthe bore, of valves controlling all of said openings, a pipecon necting the said hollow trunnion with the source of fluid-pressure, and a main valve controlling the flow of fluid through said pipe, a firing-lever for operating said main valve, and means operated bythe-pressure in the gun in rear of the projectile for operating the otherivalves seriatim and for closing 'said.

main valve as the projectile leaves substantially as described. 1

11. In a pneumatic gun,' the combination the gun,

- with a source of fluid-pressure, of a gun-body provided with hollow trunnions and air-passages leading from one of said trunnions to the interior of the bore, the said Tpassages.

opening at intervals along the bore, of valves controlling all of said openings, a pipe connecting the said hollow trunnion with the source of fluid-pressure, and a main valve controlling the flow of. fluid through said pipe, firing mechanism for operating said main valve, and means operated by the pressure in the gun in rear of theprojectile for operating the other Valves seriatz'm, a pipe leading from the bore of the gun near the muzzle, a

cylinder connected to said pipe, and a piston in said cylinder moving said firing mechanism in the reverse direction and closing said main valve as the projectile leaves the gun, substantially as described.

12. In a pneumatic gun, the combination witha source of fluid-pressure, of a gun-body provided with hollow trunnions and air-pas.

sages leading from one of said trunnions to .the interior of the bore, the said passages;

opening at intervals along the bore, of valves controlling all of said openings, a pipe connecting the said hollow trunnion with the source of fluid-pressure, and a main valve controlling the flow of fluid through said pipe,

ing in size from the breech toward themuzzle,

in combination with a source of fluid-pressure, and means for connecting the said ports seriatim to the said source of fluid-pressure, and means for automatically closing. said ports before a fresh projectile can be in-' serted in the breech of the gun, substantially as described. I

14.. A pneumatic gun provided with a plurality of ports for fluid pressure arranged along and opening into the bore, and increasin g in size from the breech toward the muzzle, in combination with a source of fluid-pressure,

and means for connecting the said ports serz'cttt'm to the said source of fiuid-pressure, and for automatically shutting off the fluidpressure from the; gun as the projectile leaves the bore, and means for automatically closing said ports before a fresh projectile can be inserted in the breech of the gun, substantially as described. r

15. A pneumatic gun provided withva plurality of ports for. fluid-pressure arranged along and opening into the boreand increasing in size from the breech toward-the muzzle,

in combination with a source of fluid-pressure, and means operated by the pressure in the bore of the gun in rear of. the projectile for automatically shutting off, the fiuid-pressure from the gun as the projectile leaves the bore, and means for automatically closing said ports before a fresh projectile can be in-' serted in the breech of the gun, substantially as described.

- 16. A pneumatic gun provided with a plurality of ports for fluid-pressure arranged along and opening into the bore, and increasing in size from the breech toward the muzzle, in combination with a source of fluid-pressure, meansfor connecting said ports scm'atim to the. source of fiuid-pressure and means operated by the pressure in the bore of the gun in rear of the projectile for automatically shutting ofi the fluid-pressure from the gun as the projectile leaves the bore, and means for antomatically closing, said portsbefore a fresh projectilecan be inserted in the breech of the gun, substantially as described.

17 In a pneumatic gun with slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure connected both to the bore of the gun and to the breech mechanism, and adapted both to propel the pro- I j ectile and to operate the breech mechanism, of a pivoted carrier -ring, a slotted screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate in said ring, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston operated from the source of fluid-pressure,'and means operated by said piston for first rotating said breech-block and moving it rearward in said ring, and then swinging said ring outward aboutits pivot or vice versa, substantially as described.

. 18. In a gun of the character described, pro vided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism,

the combination with a sourceof fiuid-pres sure connected both to the bore of the gun IIO and to the breech mechanism, and adapted both to propel the projectile andto operate the breech mechanism, of a pivoted carrier, a slotted-screw breech-block adapted both to slide and torotate on said carrier, a fluidpressure cylinder and piston,-and meansop erated bysaid piston operated from the source of fluid-pressure for first partially rotating said breech-block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swinging said block and carrier outward about the pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substan* tially as described.

19. In a gun,of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechan ism, the combination with a source of fluidpressure connected both to'the bore of the gun and to the breech mechanism, and adapt ed both to propel the projectile and to operate the breech mechanism of a pivoted carrier, a slotted screw breech block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston operated from the source of fluid-pressure, a valve and operating mechanism therefor for admitting fluid-pressure to said cylinder, and means operated by said piston for first partially rota'ting said breech-block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swingin g said block and carrier outward about the pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

20. In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluidpressure connected both to the bore of the gun and to the breech mechanism,and adapted both to propel the projectile and to operate the breech mechanism of a pivoted carrier, a slotted screw breech block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston operated from the source of 'fluid-pressure, a valve for admitting fluid-pressure to said cylinder, and a hand-lever and connecting parts for moving said valve, and means operated by said piston for first partially rotating said breech- 1 3 pivot of the carrier,substantially as described.

block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swinging said block and carrier outward about the pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

21. In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluidpressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted-screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a screw fast to said piston, and means operated by said screw for first partially rotating said breech block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swinging said block and carrier outward about the pivotof said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

22. In a gun of the characterdescribed, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluidpressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted-screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a screw fast to said piston, means for holding said screw against rotation,a revoluble collar mounted on said screw, and means operated by said screw and by said revoluble collar for first partially rotating said breech-block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swinging said block and carrier outward about the pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

23. In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted-screw l breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a screw fast to said piston and provided with a transverse notch therein, means for'holding said screw against rotation, an

arm on the breech-block adapted to engage in said notch when the block' is unlocked, and means operated by said screw for turning said breech-block from the locking to the unlocking position, or vice versa, and for swinging said carrier and said block about the pivot of the carrier, substantially as described.

2i. In a gun of the character described, pro- I vided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pres sure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted-screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder 1 and piston, a screw fast to said piston and pro- ;vided with transverse notch therein, means for holding said screw against rotation, an arm on the breech-block adapted to engage j in said notch when the block is unlocked, a revoluble collar on said screw and mechanism operated by said revoluble collar for turnv ing the breech-block from the looking to the unlocking position or vice versa, and for swinging said carrier and said block about the 25 In a gun of the character described, pro- I vided withaslotted-screw breech mechanism, 1 the combination with a' source of fluid-presi sure, of a pivoted carrier, a slotted -screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fiuid-pressu re cylinder 1 and piston, avalve and operating mechanism therefor for admitting fluid-pressure to said cylinder, a screw fast to said piston, and provided with a transverse notch therein, means for holding said screw against rotation, an I arm on the breech-block adapted to engage i in said notch when the block is unlocked, and

means operated by said screw for turning said a breech-block from the looking to. the unlocking position, or vice versa, and for swinging said carrier and said block about the pivot of the carrier, substantially as described.

26. In a'gun of the character described, proconnecting parts for moving said valve, a screw fast to said piston and provided with a transverse notch therein, means for holding said screw against rotation, an arm on the breech-block adapted to engage in said notch IIO when the block is unlocked, and means op-- erated by said screw for turning said breechblock from the looking to the unlocking position, or vice versa, and for swinging said carrier and said block about the pivot of the carrier, substantially as described.

27. .In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a valve and operating mechanism therefor for admitting fluid-pressure to said cylinder, a screw fast to said piston, and means operated by said screw for first partially rotating said breech-block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and

then swinging said block and carrier outward.

aboutthe pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

28. In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to ro tate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a valve for admitting fluid-pres sure to said cylinder, and a hand-lever and connecting parts for moving said'valve, a

screw fast to said piston, and means operated by said screw for first partially rotating said breech-block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swinging said block and carrier outward about the pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

29. In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted -screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a valve and operating mechanism therefor admitting fluid-pressure to said cylinder, a screw fast to said piston, means for holding said screw against rotation, a revoluble collar mounted on said screw, and means operated by said screw and by said revoluble collar for first partially rotating said breechblock, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swinging said block and carrier outward about the pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

30. In a gun of. the character described, pro vided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure of a pivoted carrier, a slottedscrew breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a valve for admitting fiuid-pressure to said cylinder, and a-hand-lever and connecting parts for moving said valve, a 1

screw fast to said piston, means for holding said screw against rotation, a revoluble collar mounted on said screw, and means operated by said screw and by said revoluble collar for first partially rotating said breech-block, then drawing said block rearward on said carrier, and then swinging said block and carrier outward about the pivot of said carrier, or vice versa, substantially as described.

31. In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism,

the combination with a source of fluid-pressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, a valve and.operating mechanism therefor for admitting fluid-pressure to said cylinder, a screw fast to said piston and provided with a transverse notch therein, means for holding said screw against rotation, an arm on thebreech-block adapted to engage in said notch when the block is unlocked, a

operated by said revoluble collar for turning the breech-block from the looking to the un-- locking position or vice versa, and for swinging said carrier and said block about the pivot of the carrier, substantially as described.

32. In a gun of the character described, provided with a slotted-screw breech mechanism, the combination with a source of fluid-pressure of a pivoted carrier, a slotted -screw breech-block adapted both to slide and to rotate on said carrier, a fluid-pressure cylinder revoluble collar on said screw and mechanism and piston, a valve for admitting fiuid-pres- I sure to' said cylinder, and a hand-lever and connecting parts for. moving said valve, a screw fast to said piston and provided with a transverse notch therein, means for holding hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\ EDMOND M. 'runon rennin.

Witnesses:

G. G. TURRI,

W. H. CUBLEY. 

